Bee Stings and Spider Bites on Cats: First Aid and Warning Signs

By Tailwisp Editorial TeamUpdated October 20, 20264 min read

Cats chase anything that buzzes. In summer, that often ends with a sting on the nose, lip or paw. Most stings are painful but harmless, while a few lead to serious reactions. Knowing what to do and what to watch for keeps a nuisance from becoming an emergency.

What happens in a sting

Bees, wasps, hornets and ants inject venom that causes pain, redness and swelling. Honeybees leave the barbed stinger and venom sac in the skin, and continue to pump venom for a short time. Wasps and hornets can sting many times. Cats are most often stung on the face, paws and mouth, because they bat and bite at insects.

Signs of a mild reaction

• A sudden yelp or hiding.
• Pawing or rubbing at the face or paw.
• Swelling and redness at the spot.
• Licking, drooling or foaming, if stung in the mouth.
• Limping, if on a paw.
• A visible stinger.

Signs of a serious reaction

Allergic reactions can start within minutes, and rarely, hours.

• Swelling of the face, eyes, muzzle or throat.
• Hives, a bumpy rash.
• Vomiting or diarrhea.
• Difficulty breathing, wheezing or open-mouth breathing. See cat panting and open-mouth breathing.
• Pale gums, weakness or collapse.
• Multiple stings, for example from a swarm.
• Stings inside the mouth or throat, which can swell and block the airway.

These need emergency care. See cat emergency warning signs.

First aid for a sting

1. Stay calm, and keep your cat calm.
2. Look for a stinger. If present, scrape it out sideways with a credit card or fingernail. Do not squeeze it with tweezers, which can squeeze more venom.
3. Apply a cool, damp cloth or ice pack wrapped in a cloth for several minutes, to reduce pain and swelling.
4. Prevent licking and scratching, with a cone if necessary.
5. Watch your cat closely for at least a few hours, particularly the first hour.
6. Call your vet for advice, especially if the face is swollen or there are several stings.

Do not give human medicines such as Benadryl, ibuprofen or aspirin unless your vet tells you the right product and dose. Some products contain ingredients such as decongestants that are toxic. See cat poisoning: what to do and cat first aid kit.

Spider bites

True spider bites are hard to confirm, since cats rarely show you the spider. Black widow bites can cause severe pain, muscle rigidity, weakness and tremors, and brown recluse bites can cause ulcers and illness in some regions. Signs may include a painful, swollen spot, a wound that becomes dark or ulcerated, fever, lethargy and vomiting. Call a vet promptly if you suspect a venomous spider, and bring the spider, if safe. Treatment may include pain relief, wound care, fluids, and in severe cases, antivenom.

Ants and fire ants

Fire ants cause many stings in a short time, causing painful pustules. Move the cat away from the nest, brush ants off and call your vet.

Veterinary treatment

The vet will examine your cat, remove stingers, give antihistamines, steroids or epinephrine for allergic reactions, pain relief, fluids and oxygen as needed. Cats with a severe reaction may need hospitalization.

Prevention

• Supervise cats outdoors in summer, or use a catio. See how to build a catio.
• Check for wasp nests and beehives near your home.
• Keep sweet drinks and food covered outdoors.
• Keep windows screened.
• Learn your area's dangerous insects and spiders.
• Keep a first aid kit and the clinic's number.

See summer safety for cats.

Stings in the mouth and throat

A cat that catches a bee in its mouth is at risk of swelling that can block the airway. Signs include drooling, pawing at the mouth, noisy breathing and gagging. This is an emergency, even if the cat seems fine at first, since swelling may build over minutes. Take your cat to the vet at once, and call ahead.

Ant, fire ant and scorpion stings

Fire ants swarm, and a cat that lies on a nest may get many stings at once. Move the cat away, brush off the ants and call your vet. In some regions, scorpion stings can cause severe pain and neurological signs. Know which species live in your area.

Wound care afterward

Keep the sting area clean. Watch for increasing swelling, pus, heat or a spreading dark area, which suggest infection or a bite from a spider whose venom damages tissue. Your vet may prescribe antibiotics, pain relief and wound care. Keep your cat indoors while it heals.

Know your clinic

Keep the numbers of your regular vet, the nearest emergency clinic and an animal poison hotline on your phone and fridge. Having them in advance saves time. See cat first aid kit.

When to see a vet

See a vet immediately for facial swelling, breathing trouble or multiple stings. Use the US vet directory to find a clinic.

This article is general educational information, not veterinary advice. Every cat is different. If your cat is unwell, or you are unsure about a symptom, diet change or medication, contact your veterinarian.